Table stakes

Welcome, hungry New Yorkers, to the new frontier of dining in the coronavirus era. After two more weeks of continued declines in new cases, hospitalizations and positive tests, the city has been deemed ready for Phase 2 of reopening, a shift that means shaggy-haired shut-ins can get the haircuts they need to look presentable enough to go out to dinner at restaurants newly cleared to serve patrons, so long as they’re seated outdoors.

Kudos to City Hall for better late than never simplifying permitting to let restaurants set up spaced-out sidewalk and curbside seating. Some will be able to take advantage of street space to draw in extra customers necessary to stay afloat; many others can’t, including eateries abutting bus lanes, fire hydrants or 24-hour “No

Standing” zones. Keep going; find whole streets where people can spread out.

Mayor de Blasio estimates outdoor dining will help save some 5,000 restaurants. Sounds like a lot until one remembers the city is home to more than 27,000 diners, brasseries and bistros. The unlucky ones have a better chance of surviving if New York City’s progress in beating back the virus continues apace, permitting a move soon to Phase 3, when socially-distant indoor eating is allowed.

For that to happen, we have to stay vigilant. Restaurant workers and the rest of us must stay home and isolated if feeling sick.

Are you wearing your mask, hands washed, safely distanced? Very good. Now, grab a fork, pull down that mask for a moment and take a bite.